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Boise State Stunned 72-70 By Idaho State In Season Opener
Broncos surrendered an 18-point second half lead
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Boise State suffers an upset in its regular season opener
Idaho State battled from 18 points down to upset Boise State 72-70 in the regular season opener in Taco Bell Arena on Saturday night.
Chier Maker led the Bengals with 18 points and six rebounds, with three other Idaho State players finishing in double figures. Boise State’s scoring attack was led by R.J. Williams, who tallied 15 points in his first D-I college basketball game.
Idaho State trailed 52-34 with just over 16 minutes to go after a pair of free throws by R.J. Williams. The Bengals stormed back, however, allowing just six Bronco field goals the rest of the way. Idaho State outscored Boise State 38-18 over the final 16 minutes.
The game was tied at 70 after freshman forward Chidi Udengwu converted a free throw with 57 seconds left. On the final Bronco possession, Boise State forward Derrick Alston attempted a corner three-pointer that rimmed out, giving Idaho State a chance to win it.
ISU guard Brandon Boyd attempted a straightaway, go-ahead jumper with two seconds left which missed, but a loose ball foul underneath on David Wacker gave Udengwu a chance to seal it at the line. Udengwu converted both free throws, and BSU guard Justinian Jessup’s halfcourt heave at the buzzer failed to draw iron.
Next up for Boise State (0-1) is a home matchup on Friday against Jackson State.
Idaho State (1-1), which opened up with a 120-79 loss to Gonzaga on Tuesday, hosts Pacific on Thursday.
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Eli Boettger is the lead basketball writer at Mountain West Wire. He’s covered Mountain West basketball since 2015 and his work has been featured on Bleacher Report, NBC Sports, SB Nation, Yahoo Sports, MSN, and other platforms. Boettger is a current USBWA member.